Twenty-one enthusiastic candidates last Monday (February 18) began their six-month training sojourn at Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) Jockey’s Training School, in their quest to become future licenced jockeys.

On day two it was classroom time, where the trainee apprentices were instructed on the topic ‘equine anatomy’ conducted by acting senior veterinarian at the JRC, Dr Sophia Ramlal.

Dr Ramlal explained that the aim of her course was to get the trainees to learn about the make-up of the horse, and how that affects their performance on the track.

“It is important that our riders become acquainted with the athlete they are dealing with, and that is the horse.

“These are the people (trainees) who will be asked in the future to ride horses, and a better understanding of how they (horses) function is of paramount importance.

“Plus, while riding these horses in a race or on the exercise track, it is the riders who convey to the trainers how their mounts are performing — in other words, what the horse is doing well and what is going wrong. This is valuable information to be transmitted to the trainers for possible action, in order to keep the horses healthy and to gain maximum performance,” Dr Ramlal said.

Trainee O’Shane Nugent, who will do his groundwork at the stables of Gary Griffiths, said he was confident he would have passed all the tests to attend the jockeys’ training programme and now, being selected, he will do his utmost to improve his skill during his time at the training school.

“I feel very, very good about myself, knowing that I got the opportunity to become a jockey and hopefully a champion one as well. We have just started out in the classroom and for me, learning is very important — as to become a good rider one has to have knowledge and so teaching about the horses is very important, and I am always willing to learn,” Nugent shared with the Supreme Racing Guide.

Jawara Steadman, another trainee and brother of jockey Linton, said that it was always his dream to become a jockey.

“It’s a great feeling, as I have had this passion for riding from when I was younger and now that I have grown up, it is a tremendous feeling that my dream has come true and whatever course of study that I have to go through to succeed I will work with it, as I work towards becoming the best I can become,” Steadman said.

Trainee Christopher Noble was visibly pleased to have been given the opportunity to become a jockey.

“First and foremost, I must just give God thanks, for I have been working over eight years to become a jockey. My father passed away and now that he is not here to see me get through is a sad and disappointing moment for me.

“Nonetheless, I personally feel proud to see that my persistent, hard work is kind of paying off in a way. So, I just have to keep my fingers crossed that I’ll be successful in progressing satisfactorily to the end of the course. For sure, I will be working hard,” Noble said.

Son of veteran trainer Albert Chong, Mario said that it is in his veins to become a jockey and a champion one as well.

“The circumstances are satisfying and gratifying for me to embrace the opportunity to become a jockey. To be truthful, I feel very proud of myself because it is something I have wanted to do from a tender age.

“I always wanted to become a jockey, a champion jockey as well, and to see my father being proud of me becoming a jockey is something that I really love. I passed the ‘gate test’ with distinction and I am looking forward to working hard and to be attentive in all the courses.

“The accomplishment leaves me very proud. To put it in focus, I have taken my chosen career into my own hands and and I am setting out to match my theoretical work with my practical know how,” Chong offered.